Canadians' trust in science falling, poll suggests

[applegrove]

Canadians' trust in science falling, poll suggests

44% consider scientists 'elitists' and many discount science that doesn't align with personal beliefs

Bob Weber - The Canadian Press

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5291291

"SNIP.....


The survey, by the polling firm Ipsos for the multinational 3M company, also found that nearly half of those surveyed thought scientists are elitist and that a significant number of respondents discounted findings that don't accord with their personal beliefs.

"While science skeptics represent the minority of Canadians, their number is increasing," said Richard Chartrand of 3M Canada. "This trend is concerning because it shows that distrust is growing."

The Canadian figures are from a global survey of more than 14,000 people between July and September 2018. It's the second year 3M has done the research.

At a time when accelerating climate change and wildlife loss are placing science at the top of the public agenda, the survey found 32 per cent of respondents were skeptical about it. That was up from 25 per cent the previous year.

.....SNIP"

[applegrove]

1. Worrisome. Quirks and Quarkes should be required listening.

[defacto7]

2. Who are they listening to? What are they reading?

Politics? Religion? Corporate propaganda?
What could possibly cause people to lean anti-science? I'm only being half sarcastic.

[applegrove]

3. There is that. Then immigrants from places that rely on old world culture

rather than science for the first generation. The internet too. I hope the left reads this and heeds the danger. People need to be i formed scientifically. Otherwise they might vote authoritarian. Liberal Democracy and its health depend on people being well informed. It is work to have a well functioning democracy. You have to participate. Maybe Rick Mercer could host a science comedy show or something.